Cancer screening among Native Americans in eastern North Carolina

The purpose of the study is to explore cancer screening predictors and practices among Lumbee Indians in eastern North Carolina. Interviewers from the community conducted phone interviews with 333 men and 456 women aged 40 and older randomly selected from the Lumbee Tribal roll as part of the Lumbee Diabetes and Health Survey. The survey has sections on demographic information and health conditions, family history of chronic conditions, and health behaviors. This paper reports on cancer screening behaviors. Rates of ever being screened for breast, cervical, prostate and colon cancer were relatively high compared with overall national rates. Predictors included younger age, better health, more education, and lifestyle factors such as engaging in regular physical activity and not smoking. Future research should focus on developing culturally appropriate campaigns to increase the frequency of cancer screening to conform to guidelines, and educational programs and interventions to reach Lumbee Indians most at risk for not being screened.